After kicking off its preseason schedule with the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday night, the NFL sends every team into action over the next three days, starting four consecutive weeks of exhibition contests.

Four of this week's games will be nationally televised by the NFL Network, starting with the preseason edition of the Harbaugh Bowl when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Baltimore Ravens at 6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday. That game will feature the pro debuts of a couple of Mobile County prep stars and first-round draft picks - Baltimore linebacker C.J. Mosley of Theodore and San Francisco defensive back Jimmie Ward of Davidson.

After that game, the NFL Network will pick up the Dallas Cowboys-San Diego Chargers contest at around 9:30. Don't expect to see San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, a former Athens High standout, who likely already will be through for the night by that time. The game will give a couple of undrafted Iron Bowl competitors the chance to make a good impression, though. Cornerback Chris Davis, who prepped at Woodlawn before becoming Auburn's Kick Six hero, is trying to earn a cornerback spot on the Chargers, and ex-Alabama punter Cody Mandell is seeking to become a specialist for the Cowboys. The game might mark the return of Rolando McClain to football, but his status is uncertain after he left practice on Monday and Tuesday because of hamstring and quadriceps issues.

On Friday, the NFL Network will televise the New Orleans Saints' visit to the St. Louis Rams at 7 p.m. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams left New Orleans in the Bountygate scandal. The Rams have a couple of draft picks from Auburn - offensive lineman Greg Robinson and running back Tre Mason. The Saints have a pair of rookie safeties - Vinnie Sunseri of Alabama and Pierre Warren of Jacksonville State - who are likely to see extensive playing time.

On Saturday, football fans should see the first pro outing of Johnny Manziel, now a rookie quarterback with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns' game against the Detroit Lions will be televised at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

On their active rosters, NFL teams have 147 players who are former Alabama high school stars or played college football in the state.

Thursday's preseason schedule includes:

Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets, 6 p.m.

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens, 6:30 p.m.

New England Patriots at Washington Redskins, 6:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs, 7 p.m.

Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos, 8 p.m.

Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers, 9 p.m.

Friday's preseason schedule includes:

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons, 6 p.m.

Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers, 6:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 6:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 7 p.m.

Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings, 7 p.m.

New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams, 7 p.m.

Saturday's preseason schedule includes:

Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions, 6:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants, 6:30 p.m.

Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m.

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals, 7:30 p.m.

The NFL will use a different extra-point rule for the next two weeks. Instead of being spotted on the 2-yard line for an extra-point attempt, the ball will be placed at the 15 for the kick. Teams still can have the ball placed at the 2-yard line after a touchdown if they plan to try for a 2-point conversion rather than kick an extra point.